Question
Explain why the name butanol is not specific whereas the name butanone represents a specific compound?

Answer

Butanol may have -OH group on the first or on the second carbon atom as
$\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{OH}\\ \\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \text{Butan-1o1}$
$\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CHCH}_3 \ \ \ \ \\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ |\\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \text{OH}\\ \\ \ \ \ \text{Butan-2-o1}$
Therefore, butanol does not represent a specific compound. Whereas, butanone cannot have a carbonyl group at any other position.
$ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \text{O}\\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ ||\\\text{CH}_3\text{C}\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_3$
Therefore, it represents a specific compound.

Need a full question paper?

Generate a complete, print-ready paper with questions like this in minutes — across 16+ boards, with answer keys.

Start Generating Free